Chronicles (1 of 6): The Description of BritaineHolinshed, Raphael
History
Chronicles (1 of 6): The Description of Britaine
Holinshed, Raphael
Great Britain -- History -- To 1485; Great Britain -- History -- Tudors, 1485-1603
[Sidenote: Racunus.]
The Racon riseth by east of Racton or Racodunum (as Leland calleth it)
and comming by Chidham, it falleth into the sea, northeast of Thorneie
[Sidenote: Emill.]
aforesaid. The Emill commeth first betwéene Racton and Stansted, then
downe to Emilsworth or Emmesworth, & so vnto the Ocean, separating
Sussex from Hampshire almost from the very head. Hauing in this maner
passed along the coasts of Sussex, the next water that I remember,
riseth by east of the forrest of Estbirie, from whence it goeth by
Southwike, west Burhunt, Farham, and so into the gulfe almost full
[Sidenote: Badunus forte.]
south. Then come we to Bedenham creeke (so called of a village standing
thereby) the mouth whereof lieth almost directlie against Porchester
castell, which is situat about three miles by water from Portesmouth
towne, as Leland dooth report. Then go we within halfe a mile further
[Sidenote: Forten or Fordon.]
to Forten creeke, which either giueth or taketh name of a village hard
[Sidenote: Osterpoole.]
by. After this we come to Osterpoole lake, a great créeke, that goeth vp
by west into the land, and lieth not far from a round turret of stone,
from whence also there goeth a chaine to another tower on the east side
directlie ouer against it, the like whereof is to be séene in diuerse
other hauens of the west countrie, wherby the entrance of great vessels
into that part may be at pleasure restreined.
From hence we go further to Tichefeld water, that riseth about Eastmaine
[Sidenote: Tichefield.]
parke, ten or twelue miles by northeast or there abouts from Tichefeld.
From Eastmaine it goeth (parting the forrests of Waltham, and Eastberie
by the way) to Wicham or Wicombe, a pretie market towne & large
throughfare, where also the water separateth it selfe into two armelets,
and going vnder two bridges of wood commeth yer long againe vnto one
chanell. From hence it goeth three or foure miles further, to a bridge
of timber by maister Writhoseleies house (leauing Tichfeld towne on the
right side) and a little beneath runneth vnder Ware bridge, whither the
sea floweth as hir naturall course inforceth. Finallie, within a mile of
this bridge it goeth into the water of Hampton hauen, whervnto diuerse
streames resort, as you shall heare hereafter.
[Sidenote: Hamelrish.]
After this we come to Hamble hauen, or Hamelrish créeke, whose fall is
betwéene saint Andrewes castell, and Hoke. It riseth about Shidford in
Waltham forrest, & when it is past Croke bridge, it méeteth with another
brooke, which issueth not farre from Bishops Waltham, out of sundrie
springs in the high waie on Winchester, from whence it passeth (as I
said) by Bishops Waltham, then to Budeleie or Botleie, and then ioining
with the Hamble, they run togither by Prowlingsworth, Vpton, Brusill,
Hamble towne, and so into the sea.
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